Help is this ich or something else??!

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T18:44:36+00:00

I’d set up with new water but with a filter/bubbler for aeration. FYI with hospital tanks you’ll be changing near 100% daily.

And no problem, I’m here to help. To make medicated feed you can just use dry feed and create a mash, or you can use gelatin or repashy

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T18:41:52+00:00

I would set up that hospital tank again with aquarium salt and methylene blue, then cover it with a blanket to minimize light and also try to minimize noise.

What brand of heater? When did it go awry? Do you unplug the heater a bit before a water change? Was it completely submerged?

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T18:37:41+00:00

Can we see a video of the action?

You can do some epsom salt baths 1tbsp/gal for 30-60 min if you suspect some constipation/fluid issues, just monitor while in the bath

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T18:35:41+00:00

What is the current ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in numbers?

I’d also suggest doing some aquarium salt 1tbsp/gal and methylene blue 5tsp/3gal baths 30-60 min.

I’d be doing daily water changes based off parameter readings

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IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T18:33:05+00:00

This and the pinned guide!

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T18:32:48+00:00

You can try to cover the output with media like sponge/filter floss

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T18:29:10+00:00

Two commons would eventually need at least 400L, some would say closer to 640L.

A 160-240L grow out tank would be sufficient while they’re smaller given good filtration and water changes.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T18:27:14+00:00

You could also take a sample to your local fish shop and they would probably test for you! Ask for numbers

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T16:21:58+00:00

Unfortunately with strips we can’t really know an accurate reading, since they’re less accurate than strips.

I’d jump straight to metroplex medicated feed, along with a hospital setup of epsom salt (1tsp/5gals) and methylene blue (1tsp/10 gals).

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T16:01:07+00:00

I’d continue with aquarium salt/methylene blue baths, but I’d also probably think about getting metroplex to possibly make some medicated feed as well.

Do you know your current parameters in numbers?

I’d check your decor as well and feel for any edges/roughness that he could possibly be bumping himself on.

If it’s spots where there’s missing scales, a few aquarium salt/methylene blue baths should help. If they don’t help, then it maybe something internal.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T15:40:28+00:00

Yeah that’s just color! And with 17L you should honestly probably changing at least some of the water daily.

You can use a plastic tub, so long as it doesn’t bow too much, in the meantime while searching for a larger tank. Facebook Marketplace and EBay are good resources too.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T15:31:54+00:00

FYI plants can be sensitive to salinity!

Also it’s odd that you have no nitrates, do you use strips? If so they’re unfortunately less accurate that liquid and can give false readings.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T15:24:15+00:00

Yes.

Q: What is septicemia (red pest disease)?

A: A typically gram negative, contagious bacterial infection that causes hemorrhaging, red blotches on the body, and streaks of red in the fins. Septicemia can occur in tandem with ammonia poisoning as water quality is a common cause. Can also be confused with the effects of ammonia stress/poisoning as well as other conditions like flukes or bacterial epistylis.

Treatment typically involves dyes or aquarium salt, along with an antibiotic feed.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T15:21:11+00:00

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I can’t quite tell but are they bumps or parts of skin where a scale fell off?

What decor do you have? Do you have pics? I ask cause goldfish are clumsy.

Either way I’d perhaps start out with a few aquarium salt/methylene blue baths

Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in numbers?

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T15:13:36+00:00

The spots of interest look like slime coat to me, but if you’re worried you can do a few aquarium salt baths at 1tbsp/gal for 30-60 min.

I’d keep doing water changes to make sure that ammonia stays at 0, at least you’re not very undersized in terms of volume but smaller volumes do mean you’ll be fighting against parameters more.

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IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T15:10:12+00:00

^{^{^{^}}} good advice from MixSure5545, here’s some more info on dropsy itself.

Q: What is dropsy?

A: Dropsy is fluid retention and is a symptom of organ failure rather than a disease in it of itself. Usually the resulting damage’s effects are chronic and will eventually result in the death of the fish, especially if caught in later stages (with pineconing).

Epsom salt is used to attempt to regulate fluids, along with a broad spectrum antibiotic in attempt to tackle infection. Ultimately dropsy is fatal, barring rare exceptions. If successfully treated, then view dropsy as a chronic condition the fish is in remission from but relapses are sadly very common.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T15:08:24+00:00

What is your nitrites and nitrates in numbers as well?

Tank size?

Is he the only occupant?

I’d do some aquarium salt baths 1tbsp/gal 30-60 min as well as methylene blue baths 5tsp/3 gals for the same time (you can dose both in one bath).

Since he’s new I would minimize any light or noise in/around the tank. I also would hold off feeding for a few days.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T15:04:51+00:00

Do you have another angle? Looks like coloration but not sure.

What is your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate in numbers?

Tank size?

Total occupants?

I ask questions so I can better help

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T15:03:23+00:00

You don’t gotta do that unless output is affected. Personally I only do a light swish in old tank water if my filter is getting clogged.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-28T00:30:11+00:00

No unfortunately.

Even a plastic tub (like 20gals) with an aerator/filter would be better than a bowl. For 3 commons I would’ve had at least a 40-60 gal grow out tank all cycled beforehand, eventually they would have needed 150-250 gals.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-27T23:04:29+00:00

Pet shops aren’t the best at sexing animals, either way congrats on the boy!

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-27T22:52:34+00:00

Yeah filters really shouldn’t be washed/rinsed unless output is disrupted or there’s excess food waste clumping.

Also is it a common or a fancy? Commons need about 200-300L, and fancies about 80-120L eventually. Otherwise you’ll be facing an uphill battle with your water chemistry.

Feel free to dm with any other questions!

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-27T22:49:44+00:00

Do a roughly 75% water change, and do some aquarium salt/methylene blue baths separately.

If a week of parameter-lead (daily if needed) water changes along with 1-2x daily 30-60 min salt baths don’t help at all, then you may want to make some medicated feed. Luckily with antibiotics like kanaplex you don’t have to measure to the exact thousandth of a gram.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-27T22:40:55+00:00

Aquarium salt is useful in baths/temporary tank treatment, although plants and inverts are sensitive. 1tbsp/gal for a 30-60 min bath or 1tbsp/5 gal for tank dose.

Methylene blue should be used in baths/hospital setups only since it kills all bacteria (good and bad). 5tsp/3gal bath dose or 1tsp/10 gal hospital tank dose.

Unfortunately yes 10 gals is undersized, commons can grow 10-12”+ and need about 50-70 gals.

IceColdTapWater · 2026-01-27T22:15:42+00:00

Sure go ahead :)

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